'Talks with Pakistan will depend on circumstances'

India on Friday reacted with cautionto Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's invitation to engage in a comprehensive and sustained dialogue, saying it will depend on circumstances which have to be considered "thoughtfully".

"They must have sent an invite which will go to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will apply his mind. It will all depend on the circumstances which have to be considered thoughtfully," external affairs minister Salman Khurshid told reporters here on the sidelines of a function here.

Sharif had on Wednesday invited India to engage in a "comprehensive, sustained and result-oriented" dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"I invite India for a comprehensive, sustained and result-oriented" dialogue for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, Sharif had said while addressing a joint session of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's assembly.

Noting that circumstances had led India to suspend dialogue with Pakistan, Khurshid said, "Circumstances must be befitting to be revived".

Though relations have improved "undoubtedly", there is still a lot of work to be done, he said.